‘Republic of Doyle’ star Allan Hawco to star in ‘Belleville’ play

TORONTO – “Republic of Doyle” star Allan Hawco is returning to his theatre roots to star in American playwright Amy Herzog’s suspenseful play “Belleville” in Toronto.

The Company Theatre, in association with Canadian Stage, says Hawco will play the lead role of Zack, an American doctor who moves to Paris to do AIDS research.

Christine Horne will play his wife, Abby, who moves to France with him.

Hawco co-founded the Company Theatre in Toronto but hasn’t starred onstage in five years.

“Belleville” begins April 6 at Canadian Stage’s Berkeley Street Theatre.

Co-stars include Marsha Regis and Dalmar Abuzeid, who played Danny Van Zandt on “Degrassi: The Next Generation” and will be making his stage debut.

Regular Company Theatre collaborator Jason Byrne returns to Toronto to direct.

Hawco says he had to take time away from the Company Theatre to focus on CBC-TV’s “Republic of Doyle,” in which the Newfoundland native plays a private investigator in St. John’s.

“But I always had my eye on an opportunity to come back to the theatre, which is where it all started for me,” he said in a statement. “And now finally my schedule has allowed me that perfect window before the show starts up again.”